Push-Up Capacity and Heart Disease Risk | DirectCare AI
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Blog Fitness November 14, 2026 Clinically reviewed by Dr. Tim Pepin on

Push-Up Capacity and Heart Disease Risk in Men

In a 10-year study of active men, those who could complete more than 40 push-ups had a 96% lower risk of cardiovascular events than those who could do fewer than 10.

In a 2019 study of 1,104 active male firefighters followed for 10 years, men able to complete more than 40 push-ups had a 96% lower risk of cardiovascular disease events than men who completed fewer than 10. There were 37 events in total, so the estimate is imprecise.

Formal fitness testing requires a treadmill and a clinic. Researchers at Harvard asked whether a test that needs only a floor could say something about heart risk.

What the study did

The study followed male firefighters in Indiana who had routine medical examinations that included a push-up test. Of 1,562 men examined, 1,104 had push-up data and were included. Their average age was 39.6 and average BMI 28.7. They were followed for 10 years.

What it found

  • 37 cardiovascular disease events occurred during follow-up
  • Higher push-up capacity was associated with fewer events
  • Men who completed more than 40 push-ups had a 96% lower risk than men who completed fewer than 10
Keep it in proportion
With 37 events, the 96% figure has a wide margin of error. The participants were active working men, so the result may not apply to women, older adults or inactive people. The authors called for larger studies in more varied groups.

What push-ups measure

Push-up capacity reflects upper-body strength, muscular endurance and body weight together. It is best read as a marker of overall fitness. Training push-ups alone is unlikely to change heart risk; building general fitness is what the result points to.

How to build up

  • Start with hands on a kitchen counter, then a sturdy bench, then the floor on your knees
  • Do two or three sets, stopping a couple of repetitions short of your limit
  • Train three days a week and add a repetition or two each week
  • Keep a straight line from head to heels

Other simple markers tell a similar story. See grip strength as a longevity predictor and VO2 max and longevity.

When to talk with a clinician

Chest pain, unusual shortness of breath or dizziness with exertion need medical assessment before you increase exercise.

This article is educational and is not medical advice. Talk with a licensed clinician about your own health.

References

  1. Yang J, Christophi CA, Farioli A, et al. Association Between Push-up Exercise Capacity and Future Cardiovascular Events Among Active Adult Men. JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(2):e188341. Source
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Editorial disclosure: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. All treatments at DirectCare AI are prescribed by US-licensed clinicians based on individual medical evaluation. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved and are not reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality. Always consult a US-licensed clinician before starting or changing any therapy.

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